Can Dogs Get Lice?

Lice may seem like something that young children may tend to get. It could be something you think of whenever you’re dealing with an itchy scalp. One thing that we may not seem to think of when it comes to lice is how they could affect our pets. You may be asking yourself: Can dogs get lice? 

The answer is yes. But the major difference is that dogs get lice that are different from the ones that affect humans. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure they are treated safely to prevent them from becoming a problem. It’s possible to get rid of them, albeit with safe and effective approaches.

What Are Dog Lice?

Dog lice are insects that are tiny in size and live in your dog’s fur. Typically, they feed on blood or skin debris. You should also know that there are two different types of dog lice that exist. They are:

• Chewing louse: Often feeds on skin flakes and debris
• Sucking lice: Feed on blood

As you can see, they are species-specific and can only affect dogs. Humans, such as pet owners like you, are never affected. The same applies to human lice (i.e., body lice, head lice, or pubic lice) and how they don’t infest your pet. If you have children or grandchildren in school, they may bring lice home, but your dog won’t be at risk.

How Do Dogs Get Lice?

Knowing how dogs get lice is critical. You may ask yourself where they come from. Dogs normally can get lice through direct contact with a dog that is already infested. For example, it can be in places such as:

• Dog parks
• Grooming salons
• Boarding kennels
• Animal shelters
• Poor sanitation areas

However, indirect transmission can also be possible. This can be done mostly via shared items such as:

• Brushes
• Dog beds
• Toys or blankets
• Collars or harnesses

Unlike fleas, dog lice don’t jump or fly. However, they can crawl from one host to another if such opportunities present themselves. After finding a host, dog lice settle into fur and begin to lay eggs (or nits). These nits attach to hair shafts and may be difficult to remove at first.

Can Dogs Get Lice Even in Clean Environments?

Believe it or not, dogs can get lice in clean homes, or even if they are groomed regularly. Can dogs get lice even if your home is immaculately clean? Surprisingly, yes. 

Lice don’t discriminate when it comes to cleanliness. Such infestations are common amongst the following:

• Puppies
• Senior dogs
• Strays or rescues that might not have had consistent care
• Dogs with weak immune systems

The best solution is routine checkups to catch lice issues as early as possible. Another is regular grooming, but contact with other pets should be kept to a minimum. As long as you are taking the necessary precautions, the likelihood of lice infestations can remain low, especially in a super clean environment.

What Are the Signs That Your Dog Might Have a Lice Infestation?

Lice are tiny in size and move fast. Because of this, they can be very difficult to spot at first. Nevertheless, there are tell-tale signs of infestation that may exist. They include the following:

• Scratching and Biting: If your dog is itching more often than normal around the neck, head, or tail area, lice may be present.
• Dry, Flaky Skin: Chewing lice in particular love feeding on skin debris. As a result, your dog may experience irritation and flaking. Some home remedies for itchy skin may not be as effective.
• Hair Loss or Thinning Fur: Patches of missing hair or bald spots may be one of the more obvious signs of lice. They may also consistently bite or scratch the area.
• Tiny White or Yellowish Nits: Lice eggs or nits tend to cling to individual hair strands. Their appearance may look like dandruff, but they are typically sticky in texture, making them difficult to remove.
• Visible Movements: Severe cases of lice infestation may come with an obvious sign that is visible movement. Lice may move through a dog’s coat and may appear as the size of a sesame seed. They may be tan or brown. 

If you notice any symptoms of dog lice, contact your veterinarian as soon as you can. They can only provide a proper diagnosis along with treatment advice and what to do next.

Can Dogs Get Lice from Cats?

Can dogs get lice from cats? The answer is no, thankfully. As we’ve mentioned earlier, lice are species-specific, meaning certain kinds of lice only affect dogs, but not cats or humans (and vice versa). However, if your household has multiple pets, you should take necessary precautions to separate them until the source of the lice is confirmed. This will ensure all animals are free from lice and any other parasites that can be spread from one pet to another.

How Is Lice in Dogs Different from Fleas or Mites?

Here’s where things could get tricky, especially when identifying what may be affecting your dog. Lice may be confused with other pests, such as fleas or mites. How can you distinguish one from the others? Here’s a breakdown chart of the following:

 

As you can see, there are different kinds of parasites with different ways of feeding. We did mention that one type of lice can feed only on skin debris and the other on blood, which may further create confusion in terms of identification. Lice and mites cannot jump, but fleas can. However, fleas are not species-specific and can only feed on blood.

Mites only feed on skin debris, not blood. Thus, it may be a good idea to keep an eye out for any parasitic activity. If anything, your veterinarian may be able to distinguish the difference between the three, especially when they are looking out for other symptoms on your dog, such as the presence of skin debris or bite marks that the blood-feeding parasites normally leave behind.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Dog Lice?

Treating lice is a process that requires time and patience. Nevertheless, adult lice can be killed quickly, but the nits can be left behind, leaving the potential for a new infestation since they hatch in about 1 to 2 weeks. Most of the dog lice treatments last several weeks and may include the following approach:

• Bathing with shampoo that is safe for dogs
• Cleaning or replacing toys or bedding
• Use a fine-toothed comb (like flea combs) for removing dead lice or nits
• Thoroughly vacuum areas where your dog usually rests

All dogs in your household should be treated, even if one of them has lice. This way, it can prevent re-infestation as well as slow the spread. 

Can Dogs Get Lice Again?

Even after an infestation, dogs can get lice again if they are exposed to another animal that has an infestation or an environment. Therefore, preventative measures are critical to apply. These include the following tasks you should do regularly:

• Avoid allowing your dog to interact with unknown animals or strays
• Wash bedding and toys
• Groom your dog frequently to ensure any early signs are caught
• Clean and sanitize shared grooming tools after every use

In addition, regular vet checkups and good hygiene are both excellent habits to maintain to ensure dog lice infestations don’t happen. The more proactive you are, the better.

When Should You Consult with a Vet?

Most of the time, lice can be managed. However, consulting with your veterinarian is never out of the question if you have any concerns or notice any of the following issues:

• Your dog has raw skin or open sores
• Itching becomes more severe (which may be confused with skin infections)
• You’re unsure if your dog is dealing with something other than lice (or if it’s lice at all)
• You have multiple pets and need a safe treatment plan for each of them

Treating and Preventing Lice in Dogs

Dogs can get lice if exposed to animals that may already have it or in environments where an active infestation is happening. Nevertheless, your dog may be dealing with them at the moment, and proper treatment is needed. Be sure to follow the treatment guide above if a lice infestation is indeed confirmed. As always, consult with your veterinarian if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Your dog deserves to live a healthy life, especially if they are dealing with the threat of parasites like lice on a regular basis. At Under the Weather, our priority is providing high-quality items for your dogs that can be a good fit for their diet, health needs, or general wellness. Be sure to see what we have for your dog today.